ThanksGiving (nov24)

Good golly were we looking forward to Thanksgiving this year or what?!  Such a perfect time to escape to the wilderness and just be together huh?  Am I asking a lot of rhetorical questions?  It was noisy and crazy, but somehow we found comfort in all the busy bodies... like a buzzing hive full of worker bees.  My heart almost broke in two when Connor (Brian's son) was sitting at the bar drinking his rootbeer and talking about how much fun he would be having if his dad was there, and how much he missed him.  We sure did miss you Brian.  It's hard to carry on with you not here, but I suppose we'll re-learn how to be a family

with you watching over us.

I love my family so much.

***

Rachel. Sadie. Sara.

 The Turkey Team.

Jason. Cheri. Dad

 Confetti Salsa, a crowd favorite

 TARTS

Bad posture but shiny hair, and those tarts were mmmmm good.

 BEFORE

 DURING

 AFTER

 aahhh, the cute twinner chinese puzzle makers;)

 Just Hangin' Tough

like a new kid on the block.

 some yay-hoos we found in the mountains

 Hailey did exactly what we ALL wish we'd done.

Lick it clean girlfriend.

yum yum.

Thanks for the marvelous pictures Simply Sadie Jane;)

Honour (nov20)

Welcome to the world little

Honour Smith.

Congrats Jessie and Emma!!

...and with that, three sisters still remain pregnant.

It's a good thing because I'm super baby hungry!

Can't wait to enjoy all the newborn goodness.

Lucky me:)

Vintage Christmas (nov19)

(pictures to come)

"Know Whoo You Are" (nov15)

*Young Women in Excellence*

Together Addy and I planned and carried out the annual activity in young womens where the girls share the personal progress projects they have completed throughout the year.  Months ago while shopping at Fred Meyer I saw a cute canvas with a picture of an owl on it and the words "Know Whoo you Are".  I immediately thought how darling of a theme that would be for a future activity.  After making every owl creation known to man for this night, I slowly watched the once cute idea resemble a baby shower... it's an understatement when I say I'm a little "owled out".  Despite this, and the fact that only eight girls were able to come that night, I feel like we had a great message and it was neat to see all the projects and value quilts the girls finished this year.  Addy's is below...

Hallowe'en (oct 31)

Pumpkin Carving (oct 29)

Mela-Treating (oct 28)

Visiting the Bair's (oct)

It has been waaaay too long since we've visited with my dear Grandma and Grandpa Bair.  They live in San Diego so we knew we had to drop by and give them a squeeze since they were so close to where we were staying.  The moment my grandmother heard we were coming she began baking banana bread, oatmeal cookies, orange dream jello, potato salad, and more!  Grandpa Bair even printed up a darling welcome sign on the front door so we knew we had arrived at the right place!  They made all of our children (and ourselves) feel so loved.  All of the beautiful touches in their home reminded me of my childhood when I use to stay a week in the summertime with my sister at their home... it was bliss!  Grandpa was close behind making sure we had all we needed and offering a wink or two.  Oh how we love them!  After many hugs and pictures, we goodbyed from our car with goodies in hand and saw them wave until their house disappeared.

Capistrano (oct 14-23)

Chris' parents planned a most splendid trip for a weeks stay at a beachhouse in Capistrano.  They grew up coming here almost every Christmas, but we all agreed that if we came sooner in the year we might be able to enjoy some warmer weather.  Warm or not, sand and the sound of the waves crashing against the beach at night was all we needed to relax and forget our worries.  Totally chill and free to do whatever we pleased all week, was just the medicine our busy family needed to rejuvenate our souls.

***

Driving down in the Denali. In&Out. Vegas overnighter. talk radio. Baja Fresh. Rancho relaxin'. Pink Berry. Sister wives. circle of life lesson by Crew. sleepovers. fog. Trader Joes. Jacks Surf Shop. pizza. Costco. drip sand castles. Uncle Jons awesome sand pit. painting nails. flashlights. puzzles and games. favorite things for the girls. fish tacos. Ezra's birthday. Flank steak, twice baked potatoes and green beans. Rip Curl outlet. reading books. taffy. sweatshirts. sandy floors. Leslie's vegie sandwiches. lobster curry baked in a pumpkin. sunglasses. movies. napping. boogie boarding. candy store. beach shopping. youtube videos. bro. Greek food. magazines. visit to grandma and grandpa Bair's. dinner with Dave and Sarah. rattlesnake. beautiful singing. collecting shells. seaweed. surfing. jumping waves. wearing sunscreen. Nana G's yellow jacket. sleeping on the roof. upside down lipsyncing. stuffing the garbages. wet towels. duct tape creations. paper cups. saying goodbye. long drive home. St. George. back home to the cold.

THANKS NANA & PA

for a GREAT vacation!!!!!!!